Head coach Billy Donovan will no longer patrol the sidelines for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The team announced Tuesday night that he and the team had “mutually agreed to part ways.”
In a statement, Thunder general manager Sam Presti said the two sides had discussed the direction the team was headed after his contract expired at the end of the season.
“After those discussions, it became apparent that we couldn’t provide him the information on the future direction of the team over the next several seasons to give him the level of clarity that he understandably desires at this stage of his career,” Presti said.
“Therefore, we close this chapter and reflect fondly on all that he has given to the team, organization and community. Billy will always have a place in the Thunder family.”
The language of Presti’s statement, referencing an unclear direction for the next handful of seasons, alludes to a rebuild. Donovan, at age 55, seemingly wanted a different direction if he were to sign a new contract.
Donovan coached the Thunder for five years, leading them to a 243-157 record overall.
“I have great respect for Billy and will always appreciate our work together. He is a terrific basketball coach and we are proud of what he has accomplished with the Thunder,” Presti said.
Donovan, who finished third in Coach of the Year voting this season, saw massive roster overhaul in multiple seasons during his time as head coach of the Thunder.
After Kevin Durant left the Thunder, Oklahoma City made the playoffs behind Russell Westbrook. The team then added Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, then traded Anthony for Dennis Schroder. Finally, George and Westbrook were traded, leading to a vastly different 2019-20 roster than any Donovan had coached in Oklahoma City.
Through it, the Thunder continued to find success, making the playoffs every year Donovan was the coach and improving their record each of the last three years.
“Coaching the Oklahoma City Thunder the past five seasons has been a great honor,” Donovan said, in a statement. “I have a great respect and admiration for the players I coached in Oklahoma, and I also want to thank the coaches I worked with, who gave unbelievable time and expertise to our common goal.
“Lastly, I want to thank the Oklahoma City community for being so welcoming to my family during our time here. This place will always be special to us. I will always hold this organization in the highest regard and wish the Thunder and their fans the success they deserve.”
Donovan is expected to attract attention from other NBA teams including the Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
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